Understanding Islam in Indonesia: Politics and Diversity

There are more Muslims in Indonesia than in any other country, but most people outside the region know little about the nation, much less about the practice of Islam among its diverse peoples or the religion’s influence on the politics of the republic. In this illuminating publication, Robert Pringle explains the advent of Islam in Indonesia, its development, and especially its contemporary circumstances. The author’s incisive writing provides the necessary background and demystifies the spectrum of politically active Muslim groups in Indonesia today.

38 illus., 20 in color

For sale only in the U.S., its dependencies, Canada, and Mexico

"A great introduction for people seeking to understand Islam in Indonesia, particularly those who have little knowledge of domestic issues pertaining to its background. Pringle presents us with a work that will definitely enrich existing academic literature on Islam, society, politics and culture in Indonesia." —Jakarta Post (17 August 2010)

"This is not only a comprehensive, well-balanced, and very informative account of past and present developments in Islam in Indonesia but also by far the most readable." —Jamie Mackie, emeritus professor and visiting fellow in the Indonesia Project, Australian National University

"An important book that bridges the gap between the more specialist literature and the—often depressingly ill-informed—comments of journalists and ideologues." —Merle Ricklefs, professor, Department of History, National University of Singapore

Author: Pringle, Robert;

Robert Pringle is a historian, author, and retired American diplomat. He served as a Foreign Service Officer in Indonesia in the early 1970s, specializing in Islamic issues.